Who are you? How do people know of you? What is your identity?
Our name and actions often define who we are and give people an expectation of us. Most of us know the story of Jesus and His journey into this world. He was conceived by a single girl, which was a shame back then; her betrothed, Joseph, wasn’t sure about the conception of this baby until the angel explained it to him, so he protected this young girl and didn’t consummate their marriage until after she had given birth. In that time and culture, until they came together as husband and wife they weren’t officially married, so they lived together all that time in sin but had an appearance of marriage. But since Mary was pregnant, people assumed Joseph was the father.
As Jesus grew he would have been just like any other child, playing and possibly getting into mischief, He had other siblings so they would have had a typical sibling relationship, He was probably just like any other child. Jesus was conceived before marriage, born in a barn and raised by His earthly parents to respect others. Joseph taught Him the family trade - he was often referred to as a carpenter. Jesus was born for a purpose and as He grew, He understood more and more what that purpose was. So at what point did others around Him know what that purpose was and who He really was?
At What Point Was Jesus Known As The Son Of God?
There has been a lot of discussion around the subject I have even had people say to me that we are all Sons automatically. I would like to explore this subject in greater detail. In the re-telling of Jesus’s birth by the disciples Jesus was referred to by many different names that described Him as who He was at that point in His life. The following scriptures give us a list of how He was referred to:
Matt 1:16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ (anointed)
Matt 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Matt 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Matt 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Matt 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (Isa 7:14)
Matt 1:25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
Matt 2:1-2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Matt 2:3-4 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
Matt 2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
Matt 2:9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
Matt 2:10-11 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
Matt 2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.Matt 2:14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
Matt 2:15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. (Hosea 11:1)
Matt 2:19-20 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life.
Matt 2:21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
Matt 2:22-23 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
Mary was the only person who knew who Jesus truly was meant to be.
Luke 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Luke 1:32-33 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Luke 1:34-35 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2: 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2: 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Luke 2: 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
Luke 2: 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
Luke 2: 18-19 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. (This is important because if she had told all that she knew she would have gone ahead of God’s plan).
Luke 2: 21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Luke 2: 40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Luke 2: 41 -43 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
Luke 2: 44-47 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
Luke 2: 48-49 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
Luke 2: 50-51 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
How do we know when we can be known as Sons of God?
Read Jesus’ baptism Matt 3:13 – 17
Matt 4:1 -9, in verses 3 to 7 Satan realised that He was truly the Son the God then he tried to usurp His authority by offering Him Gods plan ahead of time.
This was the start of Jesus’ ministry.
Luke 4:14-17 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Luke 4:19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
Who are the Sons of God? How do we know we are Sons of God?
In the account of Jesus being baptised, we see the process of spiritual rebirth. Jesus was born in the times of law (according to the flesh) in order to lead the way to the times of grace (according to the Spirit). He went through the process of baptism by full immersion and the Holy Spirit was sent to Him as an example of leadership (Jesus was baptised into his own death and resurrection before it had happened).
Acts 1:4-5 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me (Jn 14:16,17 & 26). For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Acts 2:1-3 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues (languages), as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2: 5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
Acts 2:6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
Acts 2:7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
Acts 2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
Verses 5 to 8 explains that tongues is a legitimate language and NOT gibberish. Tongues (or other languages) are given as a sign to unbelievers. We are all unbelievers unless we see proof of the pudding (it’s a human thing). If someone came to you and told you of the Holy Spirit and they wanted to know how you have it and you replied “it’s a feeling I have” or “I feel peaceful”. That doesn’t explain anything. I can feel peace sitting on the beach and it’s not necessarily from the Holy Spirit, more likely it’s from the fact that there’s nobody else around.
How many of us need something physical to reassure us that we are OK?
So, What If You Are A Woman? How Can You Be A Son If You Are Born Female?
The process of birth indicates new life and by being baptized. We are entering a new life and receiving a new spirit which is the Spirit of God, which then in turn means we share the same DNA as Jesus and in the Spirit we become Sons of God.
Romans 8:14-18 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Galations 6: 22-29 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
We are born the first time as we are here and now, but the rebirth from God is a second birth into the Spirit, God’s Spirit, and that is when we change into Sons of God (both male and female). We have a job to do on this earth and it’s to take the Word of God out into the world and show people that they too can have a share in the Kingdom of God.
What now?
When Jesus started His ministry He simply said to His disciples “Follow Me” and by Him going through the process He is saying the same thing to us. We are to follow his example if we are to be called Sons of God. Jesus had a job to do
What was His job? …….
Jesus came to lead the way to eternal life and I don’t think we are going to be sitting around all day sipping tea and playing with the animals. In Romans 8:17 Paul says we are heirs with Christ and therefore sons of God. So the sons of a family are the ones to (traditionally) take charge and run the family business.
